1) US inflation to rise 7.3% in January
The U.S. is expected to report a 7.3% inflation rate for January on Thursday, according to the economists’ forecast. The rise in inflation would be the highest advancement since 1982. Excluding the volatile energy and food categories, the prices are projected to have risen 5.9%.
2) Labour market is recovering, just 2.9 million shy from previous high
The U.S. nonfarm payrolls increased by 467,000 jobs in January, higher than the estimate of 150,000 jobs by Reuters poll. The U.S. labour market is now 2.9 million below its previous high. 22 million jobs were lost in March-April 2020 and 19.1 million jobs have been added since then. Meanwhile, there are 10.9 million job openings in the U.S.
3) Australia to reopening border soon
Australia is weighing on reopening its border to international tourists after the closure from the omicron outbreak. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that the reopening may not be far away as the parliament will include the matter in its agenda for discussion this week.
4) Russia could invade Ukraine any day, White House says
Russia could invade Ukraine within days or weeks, said White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday.
“We are in the window. Any day now, Russia could take military action against Ukraine, or it could be a couple of weeks from now, or Russia could choose to take the diplomatic path instead,” said Sullivan.
